Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison's legacy as an inventor is somewhat misrepresentative. He was a refiner of existing ideas rather than a true inventor. The lightbulb, for instance, was not his invention but his improvement. His skill lay in patent acquisition and commercialization rather than groundbreaking innovation.
Edison's business reputation is well-founded, as he honed and marketed inventions. However, darker aspects of his past include rumors of electrocuting dogs for experiments, suggesting a more controversial side to his character.
